If you know me, you know that I’m all about train travel. Flying is a necessary evil for me to pursue my passion, but I genuinely love trains. In this week’s episode, we’re digging into the American classic, Amtrak.
True, it’s got nothing on train travel around the world. The bullet trains of Asia and the clockwork precision of European rail routes (trying to avoid making a German train schedule joke) put America’s rickety, slow, and continually delayed (and I do mean continually) system far to shame.
But there is undeniably something special about Amtrak, so sit back, relax, imagine you’re in the glass observation car taking in scenes of the Pacific Coast or the Rocky Mountains, and listen to the episode to learn everything you need to know about riding an Amtrak train. For some quick insights lacking the poetic narrative of the episode (akin to flying when you could take the train), read on!
Pros:
- No turbulance! Travel without the flying anxiety (if you’re like me)
- Train travel is much more chill than flying in terms of checking in (you don’t) and boarding (no security!)
- Two free checked bags and only $20 per additional bag, plus basically an unlimited amount of carry-ons
- You might go through incredible scenery and you’ll see parts of the country you otherwise wouldn’t
- Travel feels more leisurely and relaxed
- Chatting is much more enjoyable and likely to happen with fellow riders in the dining car and observation car than when you’re jammed elbow to elbow on an airplane
Cons:
- Amtrak trains are nearly always delayed (listen to the episode to find out why!)
- You’d think train travel would be more budget friendly, but often it can be just as expensive as flying
- …it takes longer (or this could be a pro!)
Do you get a bed if you’re traveling overnight?
On an Amtrak train, there are several options in terms of seats, rooms, and cars. You can pull the classic “sit up all night in a seat” (which I, ever the budget traveler, usually opt for). There are also roomettes and bedrooms of various sizes, if you prefer a good night’s sleep!
In addition to the coach cars with seats and the… bedroom cars? many Amtrak trains, depending on the route, have a dining car for full meals (you need to reserve your spot ahead of time and be prepared to share a table with strangers, except, of course, during the pandemic, which makes it even more of a hassle to get a reservation), a cafe car with snacks, an observation car that’s all windows so you can relax and enjoy the views, and sometimes even a quiet car if you like that library vibe. Of course, listen to the episode for more details on all of the options!
Things to know and fun facts:
- Plan ahead to save money: unlike the price of plane tickets, which tends to be less predictable, train tickets usually start off at a lower price and increase the closer you get to the travel date
- If you’re over-nighting it, dress warmly. Trains get COLD at night, even in the summer
- The cafe car only has prepackaged snack food (think chips, pretzels, SmartFood popcorn, coffee, water, and maybe if you’re lucky, hot dogs, Cup Noodles, and packaged blueberry muffins. If you want anything else on your trip (and you don’t plan to eat in the dining car), you’ll need to bring it
- Some routes have WiFi, but many don’t (looking at you, 48 hours on the California Zephyr)
- In pandemic times, masks are required the whole time you’re on the train. You get one warning for non-compliance, then you’ll get booted off the train at the next stop. Seriously
- Overnight stops are not announced–you have to set your own alarm and be prepared to get off (though how you do this with their continual delays is anyone’s guess…)
- At some stops you’ll be able to get off and stretch your legs, but not all of them. And don’t go far, because it’s usually only a few minutes, and you have to listen for the all aboard
- According to Amtrak, if you’re traveling West, you’ll experience the best views on the right side of the train. Traveling East? Left side is your best bet (personally, I think it depends on the route!)
- If you’re rolling in the dough, you can charter an Amtrak train, starting at $30,00). And if you happen to have your own train car, you can pay to hitch it to an Amtrak train and be towed on one of their routes (new life goal of mine)
Have you ever taken Amtrak? Are you frustrated by the unreliabilty or charmed by the whole experience, like me? Let me know in the comments or send a note to goingoutyourdoortravel@gmail.com. Follow on Instagram and Facebook @goingoutyourdoor!
Going Out Your Door 